Laois overcome wasteful Longford

Laois 0-14 Longford 0-9

Laois came to the fore in the second half at Tullamore today to overhaul Longford and qualify for the Leinster SFC semi-finals.

Helped by the shooting of Michael Tierney (0-4) and Padraig Clancy (0-2), the Atmore men triumphed against a Longford side that finished with a galling wides tally of 15.

Brian Kavanagh's 0-4 haul saw Longford 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at half-time. They moved 0-8 to 0-5 clear, but then came the turning point.

Longford substitute Padraig Berry had a goal ruled out and Laois took their cue, scoring five of the game's final six points to ease home.

LAOIS: F Byron; A Fennelly, C Ryan, J Higgins; P McMahon (0-1), D Rooney, B McCormack (0-1); B Quigley, N Garvan (0-1); R Munnelly (0-1), C Conway (0-1), P Clancy (capt) (0-2); M Tierney (0-4, 2f), P Lawlor (0-1), B McDonald (0-2, 2f).

Subs used: P O'Leary for Fennelly (42 mins), B Sheehan for Garvan (52), C Parkinson for Munnelly (69)

LONGFORD: D Sheridan (capt); D Brady, D Masterson, D Reilly; S Mulligan, D Hannify, N Farrell; B McElvaney, L Keenan; T Smullen, P Barden (0-1), P Dowd (0-1); D Barden (0-1), K Mulligan (0-1), B Kavanagh (0-5, 5f).

Subs used: P Berry for Dowd (56 mins), N Sheridan for Mulligan (61), J Martin for Smullen (63), K Smith for Keenan (69)

Referee: Vincent Neary (Mayo)